Susan Call's Blog, page 14

Done Waiting? Here’s Just the Perspective Shift You Need.

Have you ever noticed how we can’t wait for Saturday? Can’t wait for vacation or summer. Find it hard to wait for a loved one to return home or to visit. We’re tired of waiting for that new opportunity to come our way. We anxiously wait for the doctor to call with results. We wait for broken relationships to be restored and for difficult situations to resolve.

I’m guessing I’m not alone nor going out on a limb by saying waiting is hard!

It’s really, really hard.

We live in a drive through, instant, ready-while-you-wait world. Yet when life throws big things our way, the heartbreaking things, the challenging things, we often have to wait for answers or wait before it gets better.

Recently I got together with a new friend. She filled me in that she’s currently in a season waiting for a dream opportunity. Despite the position all but being handed to her, one piece hasn’t fallen into place – the time. The new company is going through changes that require them to wait several months before she can start in her role. As she described her situation I found myself recognized that place – “the wait”. It’s all too familiar.

She’s ready to move on now. Lingering in a place she feels done is exhausting. And, while she looks forward to her new chapter with anticipation, she would prefer not to wait.

As she spoke, an analogy came to mind that helped us both shift our perspective.

In her scenario, she knows the position is already hers. She has “made the team.” But, it’s not time yet.

I explained how Olympic athletes make the Olympic team long before the games begin. Long before their big match or game, they know they’ve made the team but still, they need to wait. During that wait, they do not pull the covers over their head or curl up in the fetal position on the couch. Instead, they wait by eating right, training hard, and pursing the lifestyle and habits of an Olympic athlete.

I challenged my friend, “What can you be using this time for?”

How could she train, learn, grow, and be more prepared so that when it is her time she is “Olympic- athlete” ready. She’s already “made the team” what does she need to do now to make sure when it is her time she is equipped and ready – the best she can be.

As I spoke, I realized the very words I was sharing with her apply to our faith walk. If you’re a believer, you’ve already made the team. If you’re still working to identify your purpose or waiting for a door of opportunity to open, you may thought you were in a season of wait, but likely you’re in a season of training. It’s your season to prepare, to grow, so that you will be ready, the best you can be when it’s your time.

Five Things you can do in “the wait”:

Shift your attitude – We often feel powerless in the wait. It’s so easy to focus on the one thing we can’t change – time. But, what if you looked at this time as a gift? Time to train, develop, and grow into a better stronger you. And perhaps this time could be cherished gift that allows you to connect with someone you need to connect with, or time to read the book you’ve been waiting to read. Look at your wait and ask how the time could be a gift and use it to your advantage.
Don’t wait alone – Find a friend, coach, mentor, or support group who will help you stay on track during the “wait.” Is there someone who has successfully navigated the road you hope to travel? What can you learn from them? Or perhaps you have a friend who can share the gift of transparency with you. Together you can encourage each other during your season of wait.
Develop your skill – What skill will help you when the wait is over? If for example you’re waiting for a publisher to sign your book idea, use the wait to hone your writing skills or edit your writing. If your wait is for a new job, what might help you when you start? Maybe you would benefit from studying emotional intelligence or advancing your Excel skills. Use the wait time as a valuable gift to improve your skills.
Identify your positive habits or your strengths –What do you do well? What are your areas of strength? Perhaps your strength is in your character qualities or in skills you’ve learned. List them out and pray for ways to use them. If you need more good habits than you currently have, use the time to develop and solidify them. They will become a great part of our foundation when your season of wait passes.
Plan your next step – What’s next? What can you do right now where you are while you wait? In the time you’ve read this, the door you’re waiting to open likely hasn’t swung wide open just yet. What is your very next step. What one thing can you do today or this week so that you are stronger, and further along than yesterday despite still being in the wait. Write it down and take that step!

Are you in a season of waiting now? Or, have you been there and remember the challenge? I hope you’ve gained a new perspective on wait. How have you found the silver lining in the cloud of wait? I’d love to hear from you.

Blessings until next week!

What the Scale Told Me About My Self Worth

Copyright: kzenon / 123RF

“Step on the scale,” the nurse said cheerily. “Do I have to?” I silently protested on the inside.

Bundled in necessary winter layers, I tried to tell myself whatever number came up was the result of my seasonal fashion choices. I knew better. I knew that the few recent days of an upset stomach coupled with only feeling like I could eat stomach-friendly carbs such toast and pancakes would come with a price.

It did.

Up from where I’d been for quite a while, I was temporarily satisfied with my rationale… that was until the nurse said “look at that, you’re right were you were the last time you were here two years ago.”

An internal monologue immediately ensued. Where I was two years ago? That isn’t where I wanted to be and isn’t where I’d been recently. But, was this the real me? It was at that moment in a chilly doctor’s office, waiting for a doctor that was running over an hour late that I had an epiphany. I think it will resonate with you too…

My worth is not defined by the number on the scale. It may reflect where I was at a point in time, but it doesn’t define who I am, really.

My worth isn’t defined by my zip code, my age, my job title, or my salary.

My worth isn’t defined by the number of friends I have on Facebook, the number of likes on Instagram, or the number of shares my last post had.

At this time of year, my value isn’t determined by the number of presents under my tree or by how many holiday parties I was or wasn’t invited to.

My worth isn’t determined by the number of holiday cards I’ve received, and I’m not worth any more or less based on how many I did (or truthfully didn’t) manage to send.

As I look ahead to the New Year, the year is not limited by the number of resolutions I managed to keep last year or how times I started over.

Personal change and growth is available to regardless of my past failures.

I’m not limited by the many challenges of this season, this year, or quite honestly life itself.

I can choose to be resilient, to be a survivor, to dig deep to find strength even if sometimes it means digging really deep.

My worth is not defined by the struggles I have had, whether I’ve accepted them with grace or if I’ve been temporarily unhinged by them because in the end, they do not weaken me but ultimately serve to drive me forward, give me strength, and help me see what I am not.

I am not a number on a scale. I am not what the world says I am.

Instead I am what God says I am. I am His daughter. I am not a victim, I am a survivor. I am saved. I am redeemed.

He loves me when I struggle to even like myself.

He loves me equally when I fail and when I succeed. I know He rejoices when I notice victories along my journey because I see His fingerprints encouraging me.

He gives me His strength when I’m too weak to find any of my own.

He sheds His light into my darkness when the world closes in.

And He loves me when I feel unlovable.

I may not be thrilled with the number on the scale but it helped me see my worth. It helped me reflect on who I am and who I am not. I am not the number on the scale. I am blessed. I am His.

 

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! You are valuable and loved. I hope this week’s post blessed you and helped remind you of your worth.

You asked Santa for What? – 6 Ways to Deal with a Christmas Stress and Holiday Blues

Copyright: wavebreakmediamicro / 123RF Stock Photo

You asked Santa for what?!? Looking back, that would have been a completely appropriate response, but I managed to keep my shock a secret. My children were only in their early elementary years that year. They believed in all the magic the Christmas season could offer. I wanted to keep it that way despite being a single mom, feeling like I was carrying the weight of the world.

On a hectic Saturday we stood in line for what seemed like forever before it was their turn. They seemed to approach Santa a bit more confidently than some prior years but I didn’t know why just yet. They climbed up on his lap, posed for a quick picture before leaning closer to whisper their Christmas wish into his ear.

What did you ask Santa for? I asked. They grinned a proud grin. “We asked Santa for a Playstation because He has more money than you do.”

With the sweet honest reply my heart smiled and sank all at the same time. My children knew the gift they wanted was expensive, probably too expensive for my limited budget. Their minds were clever. Santa no doubt had more resources than I did.

Christmas morning brought squeals of joy. That year Santa made a number of sacrifices to make their wish come true. My children were non-the-wiser until many years later.

Despite the bit of magic that was made possible, it still was a tough holiday season. I tried to be cheerful but if I’m honest, it was heavy. That was before I knew how common depression and stress are during the holidays. We look around at this time of year and it’s easy to think we’re the only ones struggling. The truth is, we all struggle a bit during this season. There are a few things you can do to help:

Reduce social media use – Several studies have found that increased social media use can lead to depression. Seeing all the cheerful, positive highlights from our friends and family can make us feel like our lives are falling short. Cut back on the time spend online. It can lift your spirit.
Reach out and connect – Call a friend or relative and talk. Schedule lunch with a friend. Drop your cousin an email. Connect with those you care about with genuine conversation and quality time.
Go to the gym – Exercise is good for the mind and body. Overcome the hurdle of ‘making yourself go’ by scheduling time to meet a friend or make an appointment with yourself. Start small and agree to go for twenty minutes or a half an hour. You’ll be glad you did.
Help someone else – Do something for someone else. Donate a toy, a meal, or your time. Find a way to give to someone who is in need.
Make your own holiday magic – Cut snowflakes out of paper, listen to Christmas carols, bake your favorite cookies, or light a wonderfully scented candle. Look for little ways you can bring joy in to your celebration.
Talk to a counselor – Sometimes you need the assistance of a professional counselor to work through the difficulties life gives us. It’s ok! A great counselor can help tremendously when the holidays feel more blue than joyous.

As you prepare for Christmas and the New Year, I wish you joy and happiness. And, if you find you heart feeling heavy, I hope one of these tips will lift your spirits and bring a smile to your heart.

What helps you find joy during this season? I’d love to hear from you!

The Message I Found in a Bottle

Copyright: chamillewhite / 123RF Stock Photo

I raised my hammer above the unsuspecting bottle wrapped in several layers of thick paper bags. A plastic bag was the outer layer. With one swooping motion, I swung down hitting the bottle. Thud. Nothing more. It took several strikes before the impact shattered the glass into a collection of small pieces, no longer recognizable as the bottle it was moments earlier.

It was my first adventure into to making faux sea glass – glass that had been broken, tossed with sand and elements, becoming a refined treasure. The symbolism of sea glass speaks so loudly to me because over the years life has been less than perfect. I love the reminder that beauty comes from the refinement of brokenness. As I filled my rock tumbler with the broken shards, I anticipated the treasure that would emerge from the opaque container in several days. What I didn’t expect were valuable reminders important to keep in mind as we process our own hurts.

It takes time – When I tumbled the glass, it took four days of the machine constantly turning for the glass to become smooth. If I had disturbed the process, the results would have been negatively impacted. When we’re working through our life challenges, we need to give ourselves time. Healing is a process. We need to continue to steadily work at it. Don’t be discouraged when things don’t change as fast as you would like but instead continue in the right direction.
Too much is well, too much – When I first tried to “tumble” glass, I put too much broken glass in the container. As a result, the broken pieces didn’t get as refined as I would have liked. In life when we tackle the wrongs we’ve incurred, our hurts and our brokenness, we need to be careful to not try to address everything at once. When we try to fix too much at once, we’re not able to make as effective progress. Instead start small and take steps in the right direction. It all adds up!
It’s what’s on the inside that matters – With the glass I tumbled, I put many different bright beautifully colored pieces of glass. Several pieces were a brilliant aqua color. I couldn’t wait to see how nicely they would turn out. I waited patiently for the four days only to find the pieces that had been aqua were now clear. Apparently the glass was tinted on the outside. On the inside it was simply clear glass. When we go through challenges in life, what’s on the inside matters. What’s in our hearts? What makes up our attitude or our disposition? What’s on the inside ultimately comes out. As you process life’s challenges, you can choose what speaks truth into your soul. Are you filling up on God’s promises, on His encouragement, or on the world around you? What you put on the inside will be what ultimately comes out.

I never expected such truth to come out of broken glass. Somehow I have a feeling these won’t be the only important reminders that come from my new hobby. I’m so grateful that God accepts all of our brokenness and is faithful to bring healing, refinement, and redemption to our lives. It’s a process. But, if we continue one step after the next, beauty comes from our brokenness just like the glass!

I’d love to hear from you. Which of these resonates with you? Which encourages you the most? Be blessed!

The Unexpected Treasure in my Dad’s Shop and My Surprise Lesson on Brokenness

My hope was fading. I had stepped into my dad’s old workshop eager to find one of his old tools that I could use. I had recently taken up making sea glass jewelry and thought it would be special to find something of dad’s to use with this new venture. Ever since pondering the symbolism of sea glass this summer, I was intrigued by how beautiful the once cast aside broken glass became as a result of its journey – so much so that people set out combing beaches to find it as a treasure.

But as I finished searching dad’s shop, I hadn’t found anything that I thought could work or help me develop my craft. Then, I looked in one last box, a worn box up on a shelf. I reached in and pulled out a giant nail, one that I instantly knew would be perfect to form the loop at the top of each of pendant I’d make. I brought home three of the oversized nails.

Once home I began cutting pieces of wire, wrapping it carefully around one of the nails to start each pendant. I curved the wire firmly and gently around the glass so that each piece was secured, creating a new beautiful treasure out of what was once discarded broken glass. After making a few pieces, I began a new piece. With one hand I cradled the glass, the other gripped the nail and the wire as I worked. Just then a whisper spoke to my heart ‘bring your brokenness to your Father’s nails.’

In that instant, I knew I wasn’t meant to find a tool in dad’s shop. There’s far more power, far more significance in the nails. In life, there’s times we’re all broken. Our journey wears us. It tosses us about. But just like each piece of sea glass, we’re unique and changed by the process. And, just like the pendants I now make, when we bring our brokenness to our Father’s nails, we’re transformed.

This is a time of year when brokenness can feel magnified. To the joyous sounds of the holiday season, we can become keenly aware of our disappointments, our hurts, and our losses. We can see the happiness in others but internally be more aware of our own pain, loneliness, or brokenness. What better time to be reminded where we can find healing, where we can become whole again?

This Christmas season, why not bring your brokenness to your Father’s nails and be transformed?

You know, I can’t help but think my dad’s smiling down on me knowing that something from his shop is being used this way. It anchors each and every pendant in love!

This week I’d like to share some joy… I’m giving away a necklace from my collection! To enter you can do any of the following: comment on this blog, subscribe to my blog, like my Facebook page, comment and/or share my Facebook post with this blog post. Tag a friend when you comment or share and get extra entries. For each of these you do, you’ll get an extra entry!  Next week I’ll announce the winner… Good luck!

And as always, I’d love to hear from you. Have a great week!

Did I remember to turn the oven off? 5 Ways to reduce Holiday Stress and Keep the Happy in Thanksgiving.

Ah the image of a Norman Rockwell family holiday. Everyone gathered around a beautifully adorned table, extended to its capacity to fit the entire family. The hours of preparations in the kitchen now but a vapor. Your family anxiously takes their places ready to dig in. You on the other hand collapse with exhaustion in your seat wondering if you remembered to turn the oven off.

You’ve spent the last three days baking pies, making side dishes, decorating and now it’s finally here. But what if you forgot something or it doesn’t measure up to all you hoped it would be? It’s ok! The holidays are meant to be enjoyed, not to be a burden. Yet with all the stressors of schedules and getting it all done, we can feel overwhelmed.

What can you do to lighten your load, enjoy the day, and put the ‘Happy’ back in Thanksgiving?

Review your expectations and keep it in perspective

Are you realistically looking at the holiday or are you building it up in a way that will only leave you disappointed? Keep your expectations in check and put the day in perspective. Thanksgiving is a day to be thankful for all that you have and to share it with family or friends.

 Set boundaries.

This year has been a politically charged year to say the least. If you know you don’t see eye to eye with your Uncle Matt on politics, don’t bring up politics across the Thanksgiving table. And, if someone else brings up that taboo topic or any others that should be off limits, be ready to redirect. Remember – You don’t have to go to every argument you are invited to.

 Remember, it’s not about you

“This turkey is a little dry” your Aunt Sarah criticizes bringing the table conversation to a hush. You’ve worked so hard to pull together the dinner and just want to cry. Even if Aunt Sarah is always the one with the critical tongue, know that it’s not about you. Don’t take it personally! Pass her the gravy or pour her some punch. Even I you burn the entire meal, comments about food are not personal judgments on you. The turkey may be dry but that certainly does not mean you’re a failure! Refuse to take comments about the meal to heart as criticisms of your worth.

 Have a plan

Depending on how challenging your family may be for you, it may make sense to have a plan to keep yourself emotionally in a good or safe place. Know when you’ve had enough and need to remove yourself from a conversation, retreat to a different room, and recognize when its time to head home.

 Remember why you are celebrating!

Be thankful for the big things that have made a difference in your life this year… and be sure to remember the little things too. Share a smile. Let the world slow down and just “be” with those you love. Visit, laugh, enjoy!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!  And enjoy the start of the Christmas Season!

What part of the Thanksgiving and the start of the holiday season are you most looking forward to? What’s your favorite holiday tradition?

I’d love to hear from you!

See you back here next Tuesday for more encouragement.

How Disappointment Improved My Hearing

“These were supposed to be amazing seats.” I grumbled to myself. We bought them as soon as they went on sale over a year ago. We even decided to spend the extra money to get really good seats near the stage. Yet after a year of anticipation I sat several feet from the stage with a perfect view of…. the back of the production. Yup, the musicians, the speakers, all of the excitement was fully facing the other direction! “Seriously! I can’t believe this,” I huffed. This was supposed to be a relaxing weekend, a respite to be refilled, encouragement, worship, and hopefully clarity to God’s direction for me. Sitting there feeling annoyed, I could tell by the active venting of those around me, I wasn’t alone.

That’s when it happened. In the middle of my personal pity party, a message welled from deep within me, a message I needed to hear….

“You don’t need to see them to hear me.”

Ouch! I came wanting to “hear” God but I wasn’t expecting what I’d hear first.

“You don’t need to see them to hear me.”

I was about to let the opportunity before me simply slip away because I was preoccupied with the stage setup. That’s when it hit me… this was about more than that moment. It was a valuable reminder that we can allow our circumstances to cause us to miss the opportunity to hear God.

How? Here are just a few ways:

Distraction. For me it was the fact that the speakers were facing the other direction. I was distracted by the backs of their chairs as if not seeing their faces could prevent God from giving me wisdom or would prevent me from hearing His whisper. In everyday life it can be our own busy schedule. We’re focused on getting the kids to soccer or dinner on the table. Our minds are filled with all the things that consume us and can prevent us from pausing to hear His voice. The reality is we don’t need to be in a special place facing a gifted speaker to hear Him. We simply need to quite our world and listen with our hearts.
Self-Chatter. Often our distraction is internal. If the world around us isn’t swirling, we’re going a million miles a minute in our own world. Psalm 46:10 says “Be still and know that I am God.” We need to allow ourselves to have down time, quite time when our minds can be still. It’s in those quiet moments we can yield our own racing thoughts for His wisdom.
Not entering the conversation. The other day a friend asked if I had received direction for a situation. “No” I said quickly. But, as soon as I spoke the work I knew why. I hadn’t asked for direction. I wanted God to show up and tell me what I should do but I hadn’t taken the time to pray. James 4:2b says “You do not have because you do not ask God.” If we want to hear God, we need to enter the conversation!

As I pondered this week’s post and the variety of topics I have brewing, I felt compelled to post this one. Someone reading these words needed this message today. God’s wanting to give you answers, direction, hope… but you’re falling into the trap I was. Let go of distraction and self-chatter!

So how did the event I attended work out?

On the second day, the speakers freely moved about speaking to all sections of the audience. As for me, I walked away with fresh encouragement, and clearer vision for the path in front of me. I have to admit while I wasn’t thrilled with the setup the first day of the event, the perspective it gave me on hearing God’s voice was actually worth it.

As always, I’d love to hear what you think. How did this week’s post resonate with you? Be sure to comment below. And… see you back here next Tuesday.

Ready, Set, Go… 5 Tips for Navigating Away from “Stuck”

“Satellites Not Found” my GPS rudely informed me as I drove towards the exit of the parking garage. I could feel anxiety swelling in me, almost like a wave of worry ready to consume me as I pulled through the ticket booth. I’m definitely not one to explore unfamiliar city territory alone without the benefit of my GPS. And, that afternoon I wasn’t up for an adventure, I just wanted to get home. My mind raced. How was I going to find my way? Just then “turn left” broke my thoughts. My GPS came through! Now I could confidently continue on my journey. I knew without it, I’d certainly have gotten lost!

Today when I was reminded of that day, I was struck that while I remained parked in the garage, I was unsuccessful in gaining direction. I needed to move first. I needed to set myself in motion in the general direction I knew I needed to go – towards the exit, and then, only then when I was moving could I find the specifics of how to continue to my desired destination.

As crazy as it sounds, I needed that memory to realize I was getting stuck. Sometime in the past weeks or months I had pulled into a bit of a spiritual and emotional parking garage. Maybe it was all of the political negativity of late, or being incredibly busy at work, or simply no shortage of life challenges…but somewhere between the streets of overwhelmed and uncertainty, I curled up on the comfy couch of life and began feeling a bit lost. Unfortunately, none of us are immune to feeling that way. We all seem to have our moments or seasons like this. In fact I’ve talked to several people recently who said they’re dealing with the same feelings. Maybe you are too?

But, when we park there – in our spiritual and emotional parking garage, the road in front of us begins to feel more like a mountain than an exit from our stuck place. We want God to show up and not just give us direction rather give us jet propulsion in the direction we need to go. Have you ever noticed that when we find ourselves tucked in a spiritual fetal position, God is unlikely to push us into movement? He seems far more likely to show up when we do. When we commit to taking a step, He’s faithful to guide it.

So what do you do when you find yourself overwhelmed, or realize you’ve stopped pursuing your purpose, or your stuck in a an emotional or spiritual parking garage minimizing your impact and effectiveness? I found these five steps can get us back on track:

Decide you do not want to be stuck. Are you ready to commit to moving forward? Are you done being stuck? Mark your calendar, write it in your journal, or put a sticky note on your mirror. The first step is decide you’re done being where you are, because only once you decide you are finished being stuck, you can press “go” and begin your journey.
Pray. God already knows right where you are so why not ask Him for help? Ask and it will be given to you (Luke 11:9 NIV) Where are you struggling? Be real with Him and listen for His whisper. He will answer.
Connect with friends. Connect, really connect with friends or family. Don’t just write on a friend’s Facebook wall or send a messenger note, but find time to connect in person with someone close to you, someone you can be real with. There’s power in genuine connection. It breaks the sense of isolation that “stuck” tries to burden us with.
Take your first step. I’m willing to bet that you may already know what your next step is but you’ve been afraid to take it. Insecurity has robbed you of your confidence to follow through. Now grab hold of your faith and refuse to be deterred. If you don’t know what you need to do next, pray, listen, then follow through.
Repeat. Life is a journey. You need to continue to take one step after the next. “Stuck” will try to call you back to where you just were. Instead repeat all of the steps until you are firmly on your journey leaving your “parking garage” behind.

Now go have a great week! Get out of your parking garage and enjoy the journey.

I’d love to hear from you! Have you been struggling with being overwhelmed or stuck? What has worked to help get you moving, or what from today’s blog do you think will help you the most? I’ve heard from so many people feeling overwhelmed just now – Why not share today’s post with a friend who might need it too?

With this post, my Tuesday blogs are back! Join me again next week for inspiration from everyday life. And be sure to watch out for my November giveaway. God’s given me a powerful image for what He can do with our brokenness. In the coming weeks I’ll be sharing more about that and having a giveaway! Stay tuned.

Tender or Toxic – My Unlikely Cafeteria Surprise

This week I had a rather unlikely place for an “aha moment”… the cafeteria at work, the stir fry station to be exact.

The chicken and broccoli had become a favorite given my new food intolerances. Making conversation with the cafeteria worker, I mentioned that as much as I loved their sauces I could no longer eat them.

She responded asking if I was aware that the chicken was marinated in several seasonings including soy sauce, something I can’t eat. Suddenly I realized the healthy seemingly “safe” dish, one that I had eaten recently was actually toxic to me. I’d been struggling with a health issue and the doctor very recently was considering a very strong medication to help me when all along I’ve been eating one of the very things I needed to avoid. No wonder I’ve been getting worse not better!

That’s when it hit me.

Just like that chicken, we’re changed by what we marinate in.

We may look fine on the outside, but what do we soak our hearts and minds in?

We may be tempted to hold on to hurts, grudges, and anger that poisons our hearts with bitterness. We can get stuck basting in thoughts of inadequacy, comparison, or past failures forgetting that God made us exactly who we are. Or perhaps we replay judgment or criticism allowing negative voices to drown out His encouragement or His word.

Isn’t it far better to marinate in gratefulness, kindness and compassion causing our hearts to become increasingly tender? If we choose our marinade well, our lives become richer. The choice is ours.

Its powerful imagery and an important question…

What are you marinating in? Is it making you tender or toxic?

I’d love to hear from you. Why not click to comment and join the conversation.

What to do when your doubt is bigger than your dream.

“Turn left in 500 feet.” My GPS chimed, abruptly breaking my thoughts that had wandered away. It was early on a Friday morning. My four day work week had felt more like a hectic full week despite taking a vacation day.  Exhausted, I threw a bunch of things in my suitcase before I headed off to a much anticipated writer’s conference. I knew I needed this “reset” from my recent pace.

Did I pack my toothbrush? Did I bring my phone charger? I wonder how much father to the conference center.

“Turn left in 500 feet.” The automated voice was jarring.

But as quickly as it interrupted my thoughts, I had a sudden realization. In addition to relying on my GPS, typically when I head out on a trip, I look at the route before leaving to avoid any surprises along the way. This trip was different. I knew my destination and set out without ever having looked at my entire route. In that very moment I felt like God said ‘that’s what I want you do as you journey with me – know the direction but trust and anticipate that I will guide you with each next step.’

I didn’t know my entire route. I had no idea where there might be surprises. I simply trusted that I could listen and know when I needed to turn. With that simple GPS instruction came a few valuable reminders:

Listen to your passion.– If you have a burning desire to become a teacher or a nurse, or you long to write a book or go on a mission trip, you have a dream that won’t let go. Don’t let doubt discourage you from pursuing the very passions God has placed in your heart. It’s easy to find all the ways you might fail, but you’d be amazed at what successes await you when you trust Him instead of listening to your own doubt.

Resist the urge to wait for the entire plan. – Don’t wait until you have “it all” figured out. None of us can see a year or several years into the future. If you’re listening to God’s promptings, you only need to look for the next step, not the entire journey. How useful would it be if a GPS read all of the instructions as soon as you plugged in the address? Not very! You need it to guide each step of the way instead.

Take the next step. – Don’t make it harder than it needs to be. Take the one next step. In the writing community I’ve heard it said that “the worst thing you write is better than the best thing you don’t write.” If you’re a writer, you need to write. What action do people who do what you dream do? You need to do that… but you need to start with the first step. Focus on what you can do, not on what you can’t. Soon you’ll find that small steps quickly turn into miles!

Have you ever been stuck looking at life’s journey as daunting? Or, a dream you have seems too big or too impossible? Why not consider trusting God with the next step and get started? Free yourself from planning your entire path and listen for His friendly nudge saying ‘turn left in 500 feet.’

Did you find this post helpful? Do you get stuck trying to plan your whole journey too? I’d love to hear from you. Why not join the conversation.